Golf: Crook Tiger no match for Spieth

Tiger Woods battled with illness throughout his round. Photo / Getty Images

Tiger Woods battled through nausea, fever and vomiting to fire a three-under par 69 at the Hero World Challenge, his first tournament after a four-month injury layoff.

The former world No 1 birdied the last three holes to stand on even par in Florida but remained last in the 18-player invitational event he hosts to raise money for his charity foundation.

"It wasn't easy ... I fought hard. Spent all I had," Woods said.

Woods, who had not played competitively since the PGA Championship in August because of a back injury, vomited from the first hole onward.

"I've been throwing up for hours," Woods said, noting he was ill but not in pain and never considered quitting.

"I wasn't doing too good at the beginning but I thought I could hang in there," Woods said. "The fever just broke. As the round went on I was feeling better."

Australian Open winner Jordan Spieth kicked seven shots clear atop the leaderboard with a round of nine under taking him to 20 under.

Spieth's fellow American Keegan Bradley is tied for second with Sweden's Henrik Stensen at 13 under.

Jason Day had a round of two under, leaving the Australian sixth at eight-under-par.

-AAP